Theodore William "Teddy" Irwin

Theodore William "Teddy" Irwin

Nashville - Teddy was an award-winning musician, arranger, and composer. During his lifelong career he composed and produced music for the long-running CBS soap operas "As the World Turns" and "Guiding Light" for which he won multiple Emmy® awards and NBC's "Another World." He also toured with such talents as Petula Clark, Doc Severinsen, The Four Seasons, The Pozo Seco Singers, Demis Roussos, and Bette Midler. With Gene Pistilli he co-wrote 'Pretty Legs' that Bette performed in her stage show. He played lead guitar in the original Broadway version of "Hair." During his recording career, he played on hit records including 'Old 8X10' (Randy Travis), 'Margaritaville' (Jimmy Buffett), 'Heart of Gold' (Neil Young) and 'Happy Xmas, War is Over' (John Lennon). One of four guitarists hired on the 'Happy Xmas' session, Teddy ended up playing bass when the bass player got stuck at the airport.

He played on many other recordings for Richie Havens, Roy Buchanan, BJ Thomas, Barry Mann, Neil Diamond, Joan Baez, Ray Stevens, Johnny Cash, Earl Scruggs Revue, Jermaine Jackson, Pat Boone, David Soul, Juice Newton, and others. Teddy also worked with famed record producers Phil Ramone and Elliot Mazer and great arrangers including Brian D. Siewert and Jack Cortner.

Survived by CC Couch, they made music together for decades. In addition to the 22 albums they recorded together, Teddy made three guitar albums, "Music From My Guitar to You," "Babies," and the beautiful "Three Guitars-A Guitar Christmas."

Teddy always said he got his "touch" from his father and his knowledge of the guitar from his teacher Bruce Chappelle. He went on to study with Jim Hall and Attila Zoller.

While he was a renowned guitarist, Teddy always considered himself an accompanist on the road and in the studio. From the beginning of his career, playing with Jake Holmes, and with John Bennett Perry and Tony Perry of the Serendipity Singers, until his final session which was with Rob Clarke, Teddy did what he loved best. He made music.

Donations in his memory may be made to Lovie's Legacy (lovieslegacy.org) or the charity of your choice.

Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home, 201 25th Ave., North, Nashville, TN 37203. 615-327-1111